On 24 December, more than a year after grassroots labour activist Huang Qingnan was savagely attacked outside the Dagongzhe Migrant Workers Centre in Shenzhen, the five men accused of the crime will finally go on trial.

The trial has been repeatedly delayed and Mr Huang’s supporters fear that even now the authorities are still trying to manipulate the process. There is concern that the proceedings at the Longgang District People’s Court will not be open and fair.

It is possible that the trial date over the Christmas holiday was picked deliberately so as to avoid Hong Kong and overseas media attention; however workers groups in Hong Kong such as Worker Empowerment are urging as many people as possible to attend the trail in a bid to ensure that justice is seen to be done.

CLB wholeheartedly endorses the efforts of Worker Empowerment to keep this important issue in the public eye and ensure that those responsible for the egregious assault on Huang Qingnan, including those who ordered the attack, are held accountable.

For more information on the trial and how to support Huang Qingnan contact Suzanne Wu 胡穂珊 at Worker Empowerment on 852 8135148 or write to workerempowerment@gmail.com